Magnolia hopeful of comeback

Magnolia is in the bottom half of the 13-team standings in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a lowly 2-5 record but its average losing margin of 2.8 points is a clear indication that the Hotshots are far from being out of contention. Five games remain in Magnolia’s schedule and coach Chito Victolero is optimistic of an upturn of fortunes.

Still in the Hotshots’ order of battle are Terrafirma on Jan. 10, San Miguel Beer on Jan. 12, Phoenix on Jan. 16, Eastern on Jan. 26 and Meralco on Jan. 31. Magnolia’s losses could’ve easily gone the other way, losing to Converge by two, NorthPort by four, TNT by three, Rain or Shine by two and Barangay Ginebra by three.

Consistency has been a problem as the Hotshots are finding it difficult to close out tight games with a bang. Against Converge, Magnolia was outscored 26-16 in the fourth period. Against NorthPort, the Hotshots were also outscored in the payoff quarter, 25-20 and trounced in fastbreak points, 22-6. Against TNT, Magnolia was outshot from the perimeter by 17. Against Rain or Shine, the Hotshots blew an 11-point lead in the fourth period and were blanked 13-0 in the last four minutes. Against Ginebra, Magnolia sat on a 22-point cushion in the third period, was outscored, 28-14 in the last quarter and lost on a triple by Scottie Thompson at the buzzer.

The stats belie Magnolia’s slump. The Hotshots are No. 2 in field goal percentage, No. 1 in paint points, No. 2 in blocked shots, No. 1 in field goal percentage allowed, No. 1 in paint points allowed, No. 2 in second chance points allowed and No. 2 in bench points allowed. However, Magnolia is No. 1 in most turnovers. Ricardo Ratliffe’s inside presence is reflected in the numbers but getting the ball in his hands and defending the perimeter are a challenge. Magnolia is last in perimeter points allowed.

Victolero has shuffled 11 players in his starting lineup, trying to find a combination that clicks. Jerrick Ahanmisi, who shot 46.5 percent from four with 20 connections last conference, has logged five starts but after averaging 16.5 points in his first two games, is hitting only 1.4 in his next five. Ratliffe is averaging 34 points in Magnolia’s two wins but 21.2 in five setbacks. Paul Lee shot at a 12.5 clip and 36.1 percent from three in the previous conference but now, is struggling with an 8.5 norm and 22.2 percent from three. Rookie Jerom Lastimosa is averaging 12.6 points but fired a single point against Rain or Shine and six against Ginebra. Mark Barroca is the team’s leading local scorer yet has started only twice in seven outings. Ratliffe is averaging 24.9 points and 16 rebounds, both PBA career lows.

Ratliffe, 35, spent 12 years in the Korean league where he played on five champion teams. He was the 2019 FIBA World Cup’s top scorer and rebounder as a naturalized player with Korea. Ratliffe remains serviceable but while he’s still a power in the middle, the man called Gun Ah Ra isn’t as mobile as before. In today’s game where bigs are outside threats, Ratliffe can’t just sag and stay near the basket.

Victolero, who piloted Magnolia to the 2018 Governors’ Cup title, isn’t giving up hope. “We’ll get better in the next succeeding games, the experience and the situations that happened will improve our execution and mindset,” he promised. “Most of our games were close, breaks ng game most of the time. One step, one rebound, one execution or one shot away from the W. Sometimes, failures make us better persons, players and teams. We need to stay together and regarding end-game situations, it boils down to execution and breaks.”

As for Ratliffe, Victolero said he couldn’t ask more from him. “He plays more than 40 minutes depending on the situation,” said Victolero. “Ian (Sangalang) j is playing well, that’s why Ricardo has the luxury to rest but in the second half, he plays almost the whole 24 minutes.” The big test is how the Hotshots play in their next five games as they try to gain ground in shooting for the playoffs.